London City Lionesses, one of the few independent women’s football teams not associated with a men’s team, is owned by a visionary businesswoman and on the verge of extinction.
As the Women’s Championship promotion race nears its conclusion on Sunday, the Lionesses and Birmingham City will face off in a straight shootout for promotion to the Women’s Super League. They also interact with one another.
The Lionesses are two points clear of Birmingham, which is currently in second place, and will be able to reclaim the top tier for the first time if they do not lose.
The end goal is much greater for owner Michele Kang and manager Jocelyn Precheur, even though it might be the club’s short history.
Precheur stated, “We have a long-term project here.” We are aware of our destination. Just a matter of time, really. Although it will take us two, three, and four seasons, we will have a long road ahead.
Promotion is merely a step. Although Michele is very upfront about the project, I may appear haughty. In England, we want to establish a reputable club.
Kosovare Asllani, a forward who has played in four of Europe’s “big five” leagues and has just won just shy of 200 caps for Sweden, says it is one of her biggest games of the year.
Asllani told BBC Sport, “It feels like a final.” This is one of the many big games I’ve played.
When everything is in danger, you want to play these games. The two best teams in the league square off against one another.
London City Lionesses: Who Are They?
Millwall Lionesses officially became a fully professional and independent team in May 2019. The renamed London City Lionesses merged with the Women’s Championship the following season.
The Bromley-based Lionesses have struggled with the club’s success, yo-yoing between second and eighth in the table their first five seasons and having to deal with five permanent managers and three interims before Precheur’s departure from Paris St-Germain in June 2024.
However, they did manage to advance in 2022-23, finishing only three points clear of Bristol City, who had previously finished in third place. Even though they finished second the previous year, they were only 11 points adrift of Liverpool.
Michele says, “She does something when she says it.”
Kang bought London City Lionesses in December 2023, launching a new era for the club.
After meeting the 2019 World Cup-winning US women’s national team, the South Korean-born investor was inspired to invest in women’s sport.
She has invested more than $40 million in US soccer and rugby.
Kang founded the first women’s multi-club soccer ownership group in the industry, and he has purchased the Lionesses and the Washington Spirit, as well as the industry’s other women’s football teams.
Her goal is to make each team she owns the champion of their respective league, without any other explanation.
Precheur, who led PSG to the final four of the 2023-24 Women’s Champions League and hired more than a dozen new players throughout the season, has had an eye-catching impact on Kang’s influence.
Sofia Jakobsson and Asllani, both of whom won the WSL with Manchester City, and five-time Women’s Champions League champion Saki Kumagai, made the headlines.
With the goal of creating a top-notch facility for women’s and girls’ football, Kang moved the team to Bromley and purchased the 28-acre Cobdown Park in Aylesford, Kent.
Izzy Goodwin’s forward definition of a “very powerful woman” refers to Kang as “very powerful woman.”
She’s a great addition to our games, and when she’s there, she’s our lucky charm. Goodwin praised her efforts at this club and the other clubs.
Kang’s greatest asset is not her investment, but her commitment to her vision, according to Precheur, who was inspired to join the Lionesses after witnessing the transformation at Washington Spirit.
What she is accomplishing is incredible, Precheur told BBC Sport, “I hope it will inspire other clubs or other wealthy people to invest in women’s football.”
People who arrive [and say]we want to be promoted and play in the Champions League have said this before many times. Look at the men’s side, there are so many successes and failures.
Without speaking with Michele, you wouldn’t be able to tell how different it is. She is aware of her desires, and she fulfills them when she requests them.
It seemed a little unremarkable to think it would be simple.
London City Lionesses were unbeaten pre-season favorites thanks to Kang’s investment and the arrival of numerous newcomers. Many people anticipated a canter victory in the Championship. Instead, the promotion battle has turned into a slog.
After winning 3-2 in November, Adam Furness’ side had become a thorn in the Lionesses’ side after winning them 1-1 with a match to spare, but their victory over Durham last week would have earned them the title with a game to spare.
Both Birmingham and Newcastle, who defeated Birmingham 2-1 in the reverse fixture last November, have also taken points from the league leaders.
For these reasons, Precheur thinks that presenting London City Lionesses as the league’s champions-in-waiting before a ball was kicked was disrespectful.
“We came up with four or five very strong teams.” Birmingham and I both recognized as strong opponents, which confirmed our initial impressions. He told BBC Sport, “This league is very competitive and very tough.”
“We believe that everything comes together easily with a lot of financial support and two or three big names,” he said. Football, however, is not like this. We must create a culture and ensure that there are many things that are necessary for consistent performance throughout the year.
Not intentionally, but it shows how little respect the other teams have. Small clubs are not discussed in conversation. The English football leagues of Birmingham, Charlton, and Bristol are all significant. It seemed a little out of place to believe that things will be simple.
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- Women’s Football
Source: BBC
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